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Curfew in effect in Missouri

Curfew in effect in Missouri

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A couple hundred defiant protesters remained in Ferguson, Missouri early Sunday morning after a midnight curfew took effect. Many others left peacefully before the midnight to 5 a.m. deadline took effect.

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Police in riot gear prepare to take up positions Saturday, Aug, 16, 2014, as people protest the police shooting death of Michael Brown a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Despite heavy rainfall and lightning, hundreds of protesters gathered Saturday night at a busy thoroughfare that has been the site of previous clashes with police. Dozens of officers, a much more visible presence than the night before, stood watch including some with shields. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

People hold hands in prayer on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at a convenience store that was burned after Michael Brown was shot by police a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's shooting in the middle of a street following a suspected robbery of a box of cigars from a nearby market has sparked a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Packages of cigars are among items left at a makeshift memorial for Michael Brown on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, located at the site where Brown was shot by police a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's shooting in the middle of a street following a suspected robbery of a box of cigars from a nearby market has sparked a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Capt. Ronald Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol hugs Angela Whitman of Berkeley, Mo., on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Mo., on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. Whitman was marching with St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition. The Missouri Highway Patrol took control of the St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, David Carson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Many people drove down the street honking their horns, raising their arms and holding signs on West Florissant in Ferguson on Thursday evening, Aug. 14, 2014, as some demonstrators stood in the middle of the street. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, J.B. Forbes)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson releases the name of the the officer accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. Jackson announced that the officer's name is Darren Wilson. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson releases the name of the the officer accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. The officer's name is Darren Wilson, a six-year veteran of the force. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Demonstrators line the streets as traffic slowly moves past Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. Hundreds of people protesting the death of the black Missouri teenager shot by a white police officer marched through the streets of Ferguson alongside state troopers Thursday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Demonstrators hold candles and signs Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. Hundreds of people protesting the death of Michael Brown marched through the streets of Ferguson alongside state troopers Thursday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Many people drove down the street honking their horns, raising their arms, and holding signs on West Florissant in Ferguson on Thursday evening, Aug. 14, 2014, as some demonstrators stood in the middle of the street. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, J.B. Forbes)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ronald Johnson addresses the crowd of protesters, asking them to stay on the sidewalk and not block traffic, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. The Missouri Highway Patrol tookl control of a St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, David Carson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Many people drove down the street honking their horns, raising their arms and holding signs on West Florissant in Ferguson on Thursday evening, Aug. 14, 2014, as some demonstrators stood in the middle of the street. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, J.B. Forbes)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

These images provided by the Ferguson Police Department show security camera footage from a convenience store in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9, 2014, the day that Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer. A report released Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, by Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson says the footage shows a confrontation between Brown and an employee at the store. The report says that Brown and his friend, Dorian Johnson, stole a box of cigars from the store shortly before Brown's death. (AP Photo/Ferguson Police Department)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

These images provided by the Ferguson Police Department show security camera footage from a convenience store in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9, 2014, the day that Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer. A report released Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, by Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson says the footage shows a confrontation between Brown and an employee at the store. The report says that Brown and his friend, Dorian Johnson, stole a box of cigars from the store shortly before Brown's death. (AP Photo/Ferguson Police Department)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A flower hangs Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, on a chain link fence surrounding a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson releases the name of the the officer accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. Jackson announced that the officer's name is Darren Wilson. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol, left, and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon take part in a news conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. Nixon assigned protest oversight to Johnson after violent protests in Ferguson erupted in the wake of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer on Aug. 9. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

This image from TV provided by KMOV-TV shows investigators inspecting the body of Michael Brown Saturday Aug. 9, 2014 where he was shot in Ferguson Missouri. Brown's death ignited four days of clashes with furious protesters. (AP Photo/KMOV-TV)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Protesters chant Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, outside a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of Michael Brown by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests, and released documents alleging the teen was killed after a robbery in which he was suspected of stealing a box of cigars. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Rev. Jessie Jackson walks with protesters down the street Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, where Michael Brown was killed by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests, and released documents alleging the teen was killed after a robbery in which he was suspected of stealing a box of cigars. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A cigar box is seen as part of a makeshift memorial Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, where Michael Brown was killed by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests, and released documents alleging the teen was killed after a robbery in which he was suspected of stealing a box of cigars. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Law enforcement officers stand watch outside a market, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, where Michael Brown allegedly stole some cigars before being killed by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests, and released documents alleging the teen was killed after a robbery in which he was suspected of stealing a box of cigars. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson is surrounded by his officers as he leaves a news conference in Forestwood Park on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. Jackson took questions in the quiet park after earlier identifying Darren Wilson as the officer who shot Michael Brown. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Protesters march down the middle of a street, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in front of a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of Michael Brown by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A protester holds up a clenched fist Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in front of a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of Michael Brown by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests, and released documents alleging the teen was killed after a robbery in which he was suspected of stealing a box of cigars. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A protester holds up a sign Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in front of a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of Michael Brown by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. A suburban St. Louis police chief on Friday identified the officer whose fatal shooting ignited days of heated protests, and released documents alleging the teen was killed after a robbery in which he was suspected of stealing a box of cigars. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Smoke from a tire burnout rises over protestors on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Passengers in a car raise their hands as they pass the memorial where Michael Brown was shot dead in the Canfield Green Apartments on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A sea of cars continued to roll down West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson as families protesting the killing of Michael Brown were plentiful on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Isaiah King Ivy, 3, makes his shirt a mask as he participates in demonstrations with his north St. Louis County family on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Protesters hold up signs, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in front of a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Protesters drive down a street, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in front of a convenience store that was looted and burned following the shooting death of Michael Brown by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A car approaches a makeshift memorial, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in the middle of the street where Michael Brown was killed by police nearly a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

People gather around a makeshift memorial for Michael Brown on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, located at the site where Brown was shot by police a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's shooting in the middle of a street following a suspected robbery of a box of cigars from a nearby market has sparked a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Jarrett Jones makes a sign Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at a convenience store that was burned after Michael Brown was shot by police a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's shooting in the middle of a street following a suspected robbery of a box of cigars from a nearby market has sparked a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

People gather next to a makeshift memorial for Michael Brown Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, located at the site where Brown was shot by police a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's shooting in the middle of a street following a suspected robbery of a box of cigars from a nearby market has sparked a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

A man wear buttons in support of Michael Brown Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, as he visits the site where Brown was shot by a police officer a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Brown's shooting in the middle of a street following a suspected robbery of a box of cigars from a nearby market has sparked a week of protests, riots and looting in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Curfew in effect in Missouri

Police in riot gear prepare to take up positions Saturday, Aug, 16, 2014, as people protest the police shooting death of Michael Brown a week ago in Ferguson, Mo. Despite heavy rainfall and lightning, hundreds of protesters gathered Saturday night at a busy thoroughfare that has been the site of previous clashes with police. Dozens of officers, a much more visible presence than the night before, stood watch including some with shields. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

FERGUSON, Mo. — Police said they fired smoke and tear gas canisters into a crowd of defiant protesters who gathered in a St. Louis suburb early Sunday where a black teen had been shot by a white police officer while walking down the street.

Hundreds of other protesters left peacefully before the midnight to 5 a.m. deadline took effect in Ferguson, Missouri, where 18-year-old Michael Brown had been shot Aug. 9.

But remaining protesters — chanting “No justice! No curfew!” — refused to leave the area. As five armored tactical vehicles approached the crowd, officers spoke through a loudspeaker: “You are in violation of a state-imposed curfew. You must disperse immediately. Failure to comply, may result in arrest.”

As officers put on gas masks, a chant from the distant crowd emerged: “We have the right to assemble peacefully.”

A moment later, police began firing canisters into the crowd of protesters.

Highway Patrol Spokesman Lt. John Hotz initially said police only used smoke, but later told The Associated Press that they also fired tear gas canisters. He said of police efforts: “Obviously, we’re trying to give them every opportunity to comply with the curfew.”

Jayson Ross, who was leading the protesters toward police before the canisters were fired, said: “They got guns. We got guns. We are ready.”

The unrest between police and protesters came after Gov. Jay Nixon on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Ferguson.

Nixon’s curfew announcement came after tensions again flared in Ferguson late Friday night. Earlier that day, local police identified the officer who shot Brown as Darren Wilson and released documents and video footage alleging that Brown had robbed a convenience store just before he was shot. Police said Wilson was unaware Brown was a suspect when he encountered him walking in the street with a friend.

As the curfew approached late Saturday night, New Black Panther Party leader Malik Shabazz roamed the street with a bullhorn, encouraging people to leave for their own safety. Many appeared to follow his suggestion.

“C’mon you all, let’s roll out,” Shabazz said through his bullhorn. “Let’s roll out of here, get some rest and come back tomorrow.”

Crowds that were in the hundreds prior to the curfew had dwindled significantly in the final hour.

Keyon Watkins, a 26-year-old computer science worker from St. Louis, said on Saturday that if many others stayed in the street, he would join them.

“All of this is just building up — pent-up aggression by being mistreated on a daily basis,” Watkins said.

In announcing the curfew, Nixon said that though many protesters were making themselves heard peacefully, the state would not allow looters to endanger the community.

“I am committed to making sure the forces of peace and justice prevail,” Nixon said during a press conference at a church that was interrupted repeatedly by people objecting to the curfew and demanding that the officer who shot Brown be charged with murder.

“We must first have and maintain peace. This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching,” Nixon said. “We cannot allow the ill will of the few to undermine the good will of the many.”

State statute gives the governor broad powers when he declares a state of emergency, but he hasn’t indicated that he plans to do anything other than imposing the curfew and empowering the state highway patrol to enforce it.

Meanwhile, Nixon said the U.S. Department of Justice is beefing up its civil rights investigation of the shooting.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who is in charge of security in Ferguson, said 40 FBI agents were going door-to-door in the neighborhood starting Saturday, talking to people who might have seen or have information about the shooting.

Johnson on Saturday said police would not enforce the curfew with armored trucks and tear gas but would communicate with protesters and give them ample opportunity to leave. Local officers faced strong criticism earlier in the week for their use of tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters. Johnson said one tear gas canister was deployed Friday night after the group of rioters became unruly and several officers got trapped and injured.

Brown’s death had already ignited several days of clashes with furious protesters. Tensions eased Thursday after Nixon turned oversight of the protests over to the Missouri Highway Patrol. Gone were the police in riot gear and armored vehicles, replaced by the new patrol commander who personally walked through the streets with demonstrators. But Friday night marked a resurgence of unrest.

On Saturday, some residents said it appeared the violent acts were being committed by people who came from other suburbs or states.

“Who would burn down their own backyard?” asked Rebecca McCloud, a local who works with the Sonshine Baptist Church in St. Louis. “These people aren’t from here. They came to burn down our city and leave.”

Wilson, the officer who shot Brown, is a six-year police veteran who had no previous complaints against him, the local police chief has said.

The Ferguson Police Department has refused to say anything about Wilson’s whereabouts, and Associated Press reporters were unable to contact him at any addresses or phone numbers listed under that name in the St. Louis area.

Wilson has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting. St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch said it could be weeks before the investigation wraps up.

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